The study design was chosen according to the internationally recognised guideline for pharmacokinetics studies and in accordance with the EMEA guidance on similar medicinal products containing recombinant granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), which is annexed to the guideline on similar biological medicinal products containing biotechnology-derived proteins as active substance: non-clinical and clinical issues. A clinical development plan including the study outline was also submitted to EMEA, which examined the documentation and gave advice about the present study design .